The Melvin Price Lock and Dam, located near East Alton, Illinois, USA, on the Mississippi River, is a 524-foot long rolling dam. It is 40-feet high with 6 feet of freeboard. It can accommodate up to 19 vessels in its pool, and at its deepest point the water depth is approximately 45 feet.
The lock chamber dimensions are 600 feet long by 110 feet wide. The dam was constructed in 1967 to provide navigation and recreational access points to the Mississippi River. The dam is named in honor of U.
S. Representative Melvin Price of Illinois, who proposed the legislation that led to its construction.
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What is the largest lock and dam on the Mississippi river?
The largest lock and dam on the Mississippi River is Lock and Dam No. 2, located at Dakota City, Iowa. This dam is a part of the Mississippi River’s Upper Pool 8 navigation project. The lock is 2,107 feet long and 110 feet wide, making it one of the largest navigation locks in the U.
S. The gated dam is 2,448 feet long with a maximum lift of 52 feet. The Upper Pool 8 navigation project also includes 5 additional navigation locks and dams, all of which were completed in 1929. Lock and Dam No.
2 provides navigation access to many of the tributaries in the Upper Mississippi River. It is one of the most heavily used locks on the Mississippi River, with over 1. 9 million lockages in 2009 alone.
It is also a great spot to view the natural beauty of the mighty Mississippi.
When was Mel Price Lock and Dam built?
Mel Price Lock and Dam (also known as Lock and Dam No. 26) was originally constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers between 1935 and 1938. Located on the Mississippi river in Alton, IL, the dam was constructed with the intention of controlling floods, improving navigation, and generating hydropower.
The project was authorized by the U. S. Congress in 1933, and was named after Congressman Mel Price, who represented Illinois’ 19th Congressional District at the time. The total cost of the project was approximately $31 million, and the majority of construction was completed by 1937.
The lock chambers, which allowed for the passage of vessels, were completed in 1938. In 1988, work was completed on an auxiliary power canal and powerhouse, which allowed for the generation of hydroelectric power.
In 2006, an initiative began to upgrade the Mel Price Lock and Dam, which included minor repairs to the original structures as well as the addition of several new features, such as a fish ladder and facility for fish passage, which allow for the continuous migration of fish across the dam.
The upgrade was finally completed in 2019 at a total cost of over $90 million.
How do you get through a lock and dam in Mississippi?
Getting through a lock and dam in Mississippi is simple but involves a few steps. Firstly, the vessel must call the lockmaster on official marine radio channel 13 to ask permission to enter the lock.
Then, the vessel must come to a complete stop approximately 50 yards from the lock and report its dimensions, number of passengers on board, and length of stay in order to be given clearance. Once clearance is given, the vessel should move slowly towards the lock and take notice of the boundary lines and other vessels’ movements.
Once approaching the lock, the vessel should be aware of the direction and speed of the current, as well as the number of vessels in the chamber. They should also be aware of any instructions given by the lockmaster.
The vessel must stay in the center of the chamber at all times and reduce speed before the doors of the lock close. As the water rises or lowers, the vessel should be aware of its location in relation to the gate or wall.
Finally, when the gates have opened, the vessel can proceed onward.
Where is the Mississippi river 200 feet deep?
The Mississippi River is the fourth longest river in the world and runs through 10 states in the US. It is not typically 200 feet deep, though there are some points along the river where its depth reaches 200 feet or more.
In the Upper Mississippi River between Minnesota and Wisconsin, there’s a deep area known as Chippewa Lake where the depth reaches over 200 feet. In Illinois, near Grafton, the river depth reaches its fullest at 210 feet.
Similarly, around Wabasha, Minnesota, the depth of the Mississippi is around 200 feet near a sharp bend called the “Devil’s elbow”. Other areas along the river reach depths of 200 feet, such as in the area near Columbia, Kentucky, and near the mouth of the Ohio River.
How much does it cost to go through the locks on the Mississippi river?
The cost to go through the locks on the Mississippi river depends on a variety of factors, such as size and weight of the vessel, type of vessel, and vessel ownership. Generally, commercial vessels (such as barges and riverboats) are charged annual lockage fees, based on the sizes and weights of their vessels.
Recreational boats can also be required to pay lockage fees depending on their size, weight and ownership. Fees generally range from $50 to $750 per lock transit, depending on the size and type of vessel.
Additionally, a minimum lockage fee of $20 may apply to vessels under a certain size. Finally, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers also charges an additional fee of $25 per lock to cover emergency and maintenance costs.
For the most up to date costs and specific lockage requirements, contact the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers or the U. S Coast Guard.
Does the Mississippi river have alligators?
Yes, the Mississippi river does have alligators. Alligator sightings in the Mississippi River basin although rare, have been reported from time to time. Alligators were once commonplace throughout the Mississippi valley, but their range was reduced by overexploitation for their hides and by habitat loss.
Since 1972 when alligator hunting was made illegal in Mississippi and Louisiana, the population of alligators in the Mississippi valley is making a comeback. Alligators have been spotted as far north as Wisconsin and Minnesota, and as far upriver as Illinois and Indiana.
Due to its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, the lower Mississippi River is home to a good number of alligators, and alligator sightings in this area are much more common. Although these creatures may be scary to encounter, they generally retreat if disturbed and pose little danger to humans.
Is the Mississippi river drying up?
No, the Mississippi river is not drying up. While some segments of the river may experience water shortages due to drought or water management practices, the Mississippi River is still one of the largest rivers in both North America and the world.
The river spans over 2,320 miles and covers a drainage area of over 1,151,000 square miles. Furthermore, the river regularly experiences flooding, resulting in the replenishment of its water resources.
Additionally, the river is regularly monitored by and connected to various federal, state, and local agencies to ensure the health of the waterway and its vital ecosystems.
Who owns the dams in Montana?
The majority of dams in Montana are owned by the Federal Government, with the majority operated by the US Bureau of Reclamation and US Army Corps of Engineers. Other dams in Montana are owned and operated by private companies, public utilities, irrigation districts, cities and counties, and Native American tribes throughout the state.
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation regulates dam operations in the state. However, some large dams, such as the Hungry Horse Dam, are owned by the Federal Government but are operated and maintained by the Montana Power Company.
